Urgent: Sudan’s Military Deepens Ties with Muslim Brotherhood

UPDATE: New reports confirm a troubling escalation in Sudan as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) align more closely with the Muslim Brotherhood, raising urgent questions about U.S. policy. This development underscores a growing contradiction in Washington’s approach, as the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, increasingly serves the interests of non-Sudanese, Islamist factions.

The situation is dire: Sudan is engulfed in a brutal civil war, dominated by the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, the narrative has shifted as many Sudanese recognize that the SAF is not merely a national army but a vehicle for the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideological agenda. This alarming trend complicates international relations, especially as the U.S. has previously designated Muslim Brotherhood factions in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations.

The stakes are high. The SAF, once seen as a conventional military force, has become deeply intertwined with Islamist networks, undermining prospects for democratic reform and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Key figures like Ali Karti, former foreign minister and leader of the El Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade, and Ahmed Haroun, a war criminal linked to the National Congress Party, wield significant influence within the SAF. Together with others such as Ali Osman Taha and Osama Abdallah, they reinforce the military’s alignment with Islamist ideologies, leaving General Burhan as a mere figurehead.

The international community has witnessed horrific outcomes from this Islamist influence. Reports from 2023 detail atrocities committed by the SAF against non-Arab ethnicities, including horrific acts of violence and the systematic blocking of humanitarian aid. The U.S. Treasury has already sanctioned Karti’s brigade for its role in these violations, highlighting the broader dilemma faced by nations engaging with the SAF.

As of late 2025, thousands of former regime Islamists have reportedly joined forces with the SAF. This influx complicates peace efforts, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of continued engagement with the military leadership. The Civil Democratic Alliance for Revolutionary Forces (Somoud) has called for international support for a democratic transition, blaming the SAF and its Islamist allies for the ongoing violence.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) has emerged as a beacon of hope, advocating for a secular and democratic Sudan. For movements like Somoud and Tasis to thrive, international partners must reassess their engagement strategies with the SAF and its embedded Islamist networks.

The implications are profound: as the SAF solidifies its connections with the Brotherhood, the risk of undermining democratic aspirations increases. Figures such as Burhan and Karti remain pivotal in these networks, posing a significant challenge to international legitimacy and the support of democratic reform.

The urgent need for a reevaluation of U.S. policy is clear. Continued recognition of these actors may further entrench the forces obstructing peace and democracy in Sudan. As the situation evolves, international stakeholders must act decisively to navigate this complex landscape, ensuring that support aligns with the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a just and inclusive political future.

This situation warrants immediate attention, as the future of Sudan hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further developments as this critical story unfolds.